Trump calls Gavin Newsom ‘the President of the United States’ while mocking his intelligence

WorldPolitics
18 Mar 2026 • 12:02 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Donald Trump accidentally called Gavin Newsom “the president of the United States” whilst he was insulting his intelligence.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Monday (16 March), Mr Trump said that the Governor of California’s dyslexia makes him not fit for the White House. “I think a president should not have learning disabilities, OK?”

Mr Trump then said: “The president of the United States, Gavin Newscum [Trump’s insulting nickname for Newsom] admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia… everything about him is dumb.”

Mr Newsom later mocked the slip-up online. “NO THANK YOU, WE BELIEVE IN FREE ELECTIONS!” the California leader wrote on X.

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